Mohamed Garba
The Ebonyi State Government has categorically denied allegations that it awarded N4.1 billion projects without following due process. The government’s response comes after an online publication claimed that multiple companies were not given the opportunity to bid for the projects.
Engr Jude Okpor, Commissioner for Information and Orientation, dismissed the report as “self-conceived, subjective, and unresearched.” He assured the public that the government follows transparent processes, including open tendering, where all companies can submit bids.
He said that the report was designed to dish out lies and half truths to the public without recourse to the ethics of journalism.”In as much as we do not regard the report as deserving of our diligent response, we wish to make few comments in order to assuage the reading public whose sensibilities may have been insulted by the obviously mischievous headline.
The State Government has over some period of time, followed the reports and some clandestine activities of some of the reporters in the organisation and have come to a conclusion that the online media organization reporters are deliberate mischief makers”Okpor noted that the on-line reporter dabbled into self-conceived, subjective and unresearched reports without recourse to the ethics of journalism.
We simply wish to assure them and their pay masters that their incessant media attack on Ebonyi State Government, is tantamount to effort in futility as the present government can never be distracted by such infantile diatribe.
Okpor emphasized that the state’s e-procurement system allows for a 30-day advertising period, and even if only one company submits a bid, it can still be awarded if deemed responsive.
He cited Section 35 (2a) of the Ebonyi State Public Procurement Law (2020), which supports this process.The government has reiterated its commitment to open governance and transparency in all its dealings, as outlined in the People’s Charter of Needs.
